The energy crisis in Australia is a major issue of concern. For the past few years, the country’s energy grid has been strained due to a variety of issues including increasing demand from the population, aging infrastructure, and swift technological change. The rising prices for electricity have put an extra burden on households, and businesses’ costs are also rising across the country. This has resulted in a looming energy crisis in Australia.
But, there might be a way out. Energy experts have suggested that this crisis could be a potential opportunity for Australia to retool its entire energy system. The industry experts suggest reconfiguring the existing infrastructures and by merging various forms of renewable energy into the equation. While replacing aging infrastructure may sound daunting, energy transformation could make the whole process less challenging and more impactful.
As the world progresses technologically, the energy industry should not be kept behind and Australia can benefit significantly by investing in renewable energy. Wind and solar energy, along with hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and tidal sources can significantly reduce the country’s energy bills and emissions if generated at a large-scale.
Australia also has an abundance of natural gas reserves, which experts believe could be combined with renewable sources to create a more cost-effective energy system. Natural gas is less expensive than coal and can be used to cost-effectively meet the demands of the Australian public. A combined model built around natural gas and renewable sources can reduce emissions and energy bills, while meeting the growing demand.
But, in order for a combined model to be successful, government support and policy support are necessary. The government needs to provide incentives for businesses and households to invest in renewable energy and also adopt policies for achieving emission targets. Furthermore, cross-promotional efforts need to be made whereby the public will be made aware of the benefit of using renewable energy sources and why they should invest in alternative energy sources.
These and other measures need to be taken in order to create a more sustainable energy platform for the country. This can ultimately help Australia move away from its looming energy crisis to create a model that is both cost-effective and emissions free. If done right, it could potentially just be the beginning of a shift towards a renewable energy revolution in Australia.